U.S. patent number 11,294,611 [Application Number 16/352,852] was granted by the patent office on 2022-04-05 for image forming system for designating exception for specific page and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.. The grantee listed for this patent is FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.. Invention is credited to Takeshi Fukui, Shingo Tajima.
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United States Patent |
11,294,611 |
Fukui , et al. |
April 5, 2022 |
Image forming system for designating exception for specific page
and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program
Abstract
An image forming system includes an acquisition unit that
acquires setting information indicating an execution condition
which is set to execute printing from printing instruction
information for giving an instruction for execution of the
printing, a first designation unit that designates an execution
condition which is different from the execution condition related
to the setting information acquired from the printing instruction
information as an exception for plural specific page images
included in the printing instruction information, and a second
designation unit that repeatedly designates the exception
designated by the first designation unit every number of pages of
the plural specific page images for plural page images other than
the plural specific page images.
Inventors: |
Fukui; Takeshi (Kanagawa,
JP), Tajima; Shingo (Kanagawa, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp. |
Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
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Assignee: |
FUJIFILM Business Innovation
Corp. (Tokyo, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006219871 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/352,852 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190317714 A1 |
Oct 17, 2019 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 17, 2018 [JP] |
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JP2018-079108 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
3/1274 (20130101); G06F 3/1253 (20130101); G06F
3/1294 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
3/12 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2006031479 |
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Feb 2006 |
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JP |
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2006270714 |
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Oct 2006 |
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JP |
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2012098927 |
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May 2012 |
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JP |
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2016126071 |
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Jul 2016 |
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JP |
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2016181284 |
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Oct 2016 |
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JP |
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2016215592 |
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Dec 2016 |
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JP |
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Other References
Office Action of Japan Counterpart Application, with English
translation thereof, dated Dec. 7, 2021, pp. 1-8. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Rodriguezgonzalez; Lennin R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: JCIPRNET
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image forming system comprising: a processor configured to:
acquire setting information indicating an execution condition which
is set to execute printing from printing instruction information
for giving an instruction for execution of the printing for a
plurality of page images; designate an execution condition which is
different from the execution condition related to the setting
information acquired from the printing instruction information as
an exception for a first set of plurality of specific page images
among the plurality of page images included in the printing
instruction information; and repeatedly designate the exception for
every number of pages of the plurality of specific page images for
a second set of plurality of page images, among the plurality of
page images, other than the first set of plurality of specific page
images, wherein the first set of plurality of specific page images
is part of the plurality of page images, wherein the second set of
plurality of page images is part of the plurality of page images
and a total number of pages of the first set of plurality of
specific page images and the second set of plurality of page images
is less than a number of pages of the plurality of page images.
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the
processor is further configured to designate the exception for the
specific page images with respect to an attribute of a printing
medium.
3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the
processor is further configured to designate an inserted page which
is inserted into the specific page images as the exception for the
specific page images.
4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the
processor is further configured to designate the exception for the
specific page images with respect to a discharge destination which
discharges the printing medium on which each of the specific page
images is printed.
5. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the
processor is further configured to designate the exception for the
specific page images with respect to a discharge destination which
discharges the printing medium on which each of the specific page
images is printed.
6. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the
processor is further configured to arrange and display a plurality
of small images corresponding to each page image on the basis of
the setting information.
7. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the
processor is further configured to designate an inserted page which
is inserted into the specific page images as the exception for the
specific page images.
8. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the
processor is further configured to designate the exception for the
specific page images with respect to a discharge destination which
discharges the printing medium on which each of the specific page
images is printed.
9. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the
processor is further configured to designate the exception for the
specific page images with respect to a discharge destination to
which the printing medium on which each of the specific page images
is printed is discharged.
10. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the
processor is further configured to arrange and display a plurality
of small images corresponding to each page image on the basis of
the setting information.
11. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the
processor is further configured to perform control such that image
information indicating that the exception is designated is assigned
to the small images corresponding to a page image for which the
exception is designated so as to be displayed.
12. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the
processor is further configured to perform control such that a
range of page images for which the exception is designated is
displayed in an identifiable manner.
13. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein, in a
case where the exception is repeatedly designated, the processor is
further configured to perform control such that an identification
image indicating a boundary between ranges of page images for which
the exception is repeatedly designated is further displayed.
14. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the
processor is further configured control such that, when the
plurality of small images are moved vertically, display positions
at which the small images corresponding to a page image for which
the exception is designated are displayed are fixed, and the small
images corresponding to other page images are moved and
displayed.
15. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein, in a
case where the image information assigned to the small images
corresponding to a page image for which the exception is designated
by the processor is set to first image information, and the image
information assigned to the small images corresponding to page
images for which the exception is repeatedly designated by the
processor is set to second image information, the processor is
further configured to perform control such that the first image
information and the second image information are displayed in
different aspects.
16. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the
processor is further configured to issue a warning when the
exception designated and the exception repeatedly designated are
duplicated.
17. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the
processor is further configured to designate a start page where
repetition of the exception is started.
18. The image forming system according to claim 17, wherein the
processor is further configured to designate an end page where the
repetition of the exception is ended.
19. An image forming system comprising: a processor configured to:
acquire setting information indicating an execution condition which
is set to execute variable printing from printing instruction
information for giving an instruction for execution of a single
piece of the variable printing which is configured by repeatedly
using predetermined form information for a series of printing data
for a plurality of page images; designate an execution condition
which is different from the execution condition related to the
setting information acquired from the printing instruction
information as an exception for a specific page image, among the
plurality of page images, included in the printing instruction
information; and repeatedly designate a designation range of the
exception for a first set of plurality of page images, among the
plurality of page images, other than the specific page image,
wherein the specific page image is part of the plurality of page
images, wherein the first set of plurality of page images is part
of the plurality of page images and a total number of pages of the
specific page images and the first set of plurality of page images
is less than a number of pages of the plurality of page images.
20. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program
causing a computer to: acquire setting information indicating an
execution condition which is set to execute printing from printing
instruction information for giving an instruction for execution of
the printing for a plurality of page images; designate an execution
condition which is different from the execution condition related
to the setting information acquired from the printing instruction
information as an exception for a first set of plurality of
specific page images, among the plurality of page images, included
in the printing instruction information; and repeatedly designate
the exception for every number of pages of the plurality of
specific page images for a second set of plurality of page images,
among the plurality of page images, other than the first set of
plurality of specific page images wherein the first set of
plurality of specific page images is part of the plurality of page
images, wherein the second set of plurality of page images is part
of the plurality of page images and a total number of pages of the
first set of plurality of specific page images and the second set
of plurality of page images is less than a number of pages of the
plurality of page images.
21. An image forming system comprising: a processor configured to:
acquire setting information indicating an execution condition which
is set to execute printing from printing instruction information
for giving an instruction for execution of the printing; designate
an execution condition which is different from the execution
condition related to the setting information acquired from the
printing instruction information as an exception for a plurality of
specific page image included in the printing instruction
information; repeatedly designate the exception for every number of
pages of the plurality of specific page images for a plurality of
page images other than the plurality of specific page images; and
issue a warning when the exception designated and the exception
repeatedly designated are duplicated.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119
from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-079108 filed Apr. 17,
2018.
BACKGROUND
(i) Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image forming system and a
non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program.
(ii) Related Art
In recent years, there has been proposed an image forming system
including an image forming apparatus which is able to designate an
exception for changing an execution condition set in printing
instruction information (hereinafter, also referred to as a
"printing job") for each page (for example, refer to
JP2006-270714A).
The image forming system disclosed JP2006-270714A includes an image
processing apparatus provided with a document accumulation unit
which accumulates documents; a setting unit which sets a printing
mode for the documents accumulated in the document accumulation
unit; a document editing unit which edits the documents accumulated
in the document accumulation unit and has a white sheet insertion
mode in which a white sheet is inserted into the documents as one
of document editing modes, a designation unit which designates a
white sheet insertion position and a white sheet insertion
application in the white sheet insertion mode set by the document
editing unit; and a control unit which controls allocation of a
white sheet page to the white sheet insertion position on the basis
of the printing mode set by the setting unit and the white sheet
insertion application designated by the designation unit.
SUMMARY
Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure
relate to an image forming system and a non-transitory computer
readable medium storing a program capable of also designating an
exception to an execution condition designated for a specific page,
for other pages repeatedly.
Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present
disclosure address the above advantages and/or other advantages not
described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments
are not required to address the advantages described above, and
aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure
may not address advantages described above.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided
an image forming system including an acquisition unit that acquires
setting information indicating an execution condition which is set
to execute printing from printing instruction information for
giving an instruction for execution of the printing; a first
designation unit that designates an execution condition which is
different from the execution condition related to the setting
information acquired from the printing instruction information as
an exception for a plurality of specific page images included in
the printing instruction information; and a second designation unit
that repeatedly designates the exception designated by the first
designation unit every number of pages of the plurality of specific
page images for a plurality of page images other than the plurality
of specific page images.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will be described
in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
an image forming system according to a first exemplary embodiment
of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control
system of an image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of designation of an
exception;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a repetition
information table;
FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a designation
display screen;
FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an extraction of physical page
information illustrated in FIG. 5A;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating examples of repetition
designation screens;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of display when the
physical page information illustrated in FIG. 5A is scrolled;
FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating examples of warning
screens;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control
system of a terminal apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of
the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary
embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a designation display screen
according to a modification example;
FIGS. 12A to 12F are diagrams for explaining examples of variable
printing realized in the exemplary embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
an image forming system 1 according to a second exemplary
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control
system of a server apparatus 5; and
FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an
operation of the image forming system according to the second
exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be
described with reference to the drawings. Constituent elements
having a substantially identical function are given an identical
reference numeral throughout the drawings, and a repeated
description will be omitted.
Summary of Exemplary Embodiments
An image forming system according to the present exemplary
embodiment includes an acquisition unit that acquires setting
information indicating an execution condition which is set to
execute printing from printing instruction information for giving
an instruction for execution of the printing; a first designation
unit that designates an execution condition which is different from
the execution condition related to the setting information acquired
from the printing instruction information as an exception for a
plurality of specific page images included in the printing
instruction information; and a second designation unit that
repeatedly designates the exception designated by the first
designation unit every number of pages of the plurality of specific
page images for a plurality of page images other than the plurality
of specific page images.
"Designating . . . as an exception for page images" includes not
only designating an exception for a page image, such as changing of
the type of printing medium but also designating an exception for
an execution condition in a case where a page image is printed,
such as changing of a color mode.
First Exemplary Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
an image forming system according to a first exemplary embodiment
of the invention. An image forming system 1 is configured to
include an image forming apparatus 2, and a terminal apparatus 3
connected to the image forming apparatus 2 via a network 4.
The image forming apparatus 2 may be, for example, a multi-function
peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a scanning
function, a printer function, a copying function, a facsimile
function, and an electronic mail function. The image forming
apparatus 2 is not limited to a multi-function peripheral as long
as a printer function is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
image forming apparatus 2 is provided with an operation unit 23
including an operation display portion 23a which performs input and
display of information.
As the terminal apparatus 3, for example, a personal computer, a
tablet terminal, or a portable information terminal apparatus such
as a multi-function mobile phone (smart phone) may be used.
The network 4 may be, for example, a local area network (LAN), the
Internet, an intranet, or a wide area network (WAN), and may be of
a wired type, and may be of a wireless type.
Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 2
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control
system of the image forming apparatus 2. The image forming
apparatus 2 includes a control unit 20 which controls each unit; a
storage unit 21 which stores various pieces of data; the operation
unit 23 including the operation display portion 23a; an image
reading unit 24 which reads an original document image from an
original document; an image output unit which prints and outputs an
image; and a network communication unit 27 which performs
communication with the terminal apparatus 3 via the network 4.
The control unit 20 is configured with a central processing unit
(CPU), an interface, and the like. The CPU is operated according to
a program 210 recorded in the storage unit 21, and thus functions
as a reception unit 200, an acquisition unit 201, a first
designation unit 203, a second designation unit 204, a checking
unit 205, a deletion unit 206, an execution unit 207, and a display
control unit 208. The display control unit 208 is an example of a
warning unit. Details of each of the units 200 to 208 will be
described later.
The storage unit 21 is configured with a read only memory (ROM), a
random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk, and stores various
pieces of data such as a program 210, a repetition information
table 212, and screen information 214. Details of the repetition
information table 212 and the screen information 214 will be
described later.
The operation display portion 23a is, for example, a touch panel
display, and has a configuration in which a touch panel is disposed
to overlap a display such as a liquid crystal display. The
operation display portion 23a may have a configuration in which a
display portion and an input portion are provided separately from
each other.
The image reading unit 24 reads an original document image from an
original document, includes an automatic document feeder (not
illustrated) provided on a platen and a scanner, and optically
reads an original document image from an original document disposed
on the platen or an original document fed by the automatic document
feeder.
The image output unit 25 prints and outputs, for example, a color
image or a black-and-white (also referred to as "monochrome") image
on a printing medium such as printing paper according to an
electrophotographic method or an ink jet method.
The network communication unit 27 is realized by a network
interface card (NIC) or the like, and transmits and receives
signals to and from the terminal apparatus 3 via the network 4.
Various Units 200 to 208
The reception unit 200 receives various pieces of information such
as a printing job transmitted from the terminal apparatus 3. The
printing job includes printing data (image data) and information
(hereinafter, simply referred to as "setting information" in some
cases) indicating an execution condition set to execute printing of
the printing data. The setting information is also referred to as
property (that is, "job property") of the printing job. The job
property is an example of attribute information of the printing
job.
In a case where the printing data is formed of a plurality of page
images, the execution condition set in the printing job is
uniformly set in common to the plurality of page images.
Hereinafter, a page image will also be simply referred to as a
"page" in some cases.
The execution condition includes, for example, items regarding
attributes of a printing medium such as a printing surface,
imposition, a printing direction, the type of printing medium, a
color mode, a size of a printing medium, and a paper feeding tray
which feeds a printing medium, and items regarding a discharge
destination such as a discharge tray to which a printing medium
which is printed and output is discharged.
The printing surface includes a setting value such as duplex or
simplex. The printing direction includes, for example, a setting
value such as "portrait" indicating a direction in which a long
side of an original document is set as a vertical direction, or
"landscape" indicating a direction in which a long side of an
original document is set as a horizontal direction. The type of
printing paper includes a setting value such as coated paper,
glossy paper, or plain paper. The color mode includes a setting
value such as black-and-white (also referred to as monochrome), a
grayscale, or a full color. The size of printing medium includes a
setting value indicated by a standard such as A4 or B5, or a
setting value indicated by a name of a printing medium such as a
"postcard".
The "imposition" indicates that one or more logical pages are
disposed at a specific position on a physical page. The physical
page indicates a page defined on a printing medium. In the present
specification, for convenience of description, when both sides of a
printing medium are printed, a front surface and a rear surface are
handled as different physical pages, and, when a plurality of
logical pages are allocated to a printing medium, respective
allocated regions are handled as different physical pages, but the
respective allocated regions may be collectively handled as a
single physical page.
The logical page indicates a page defined on printing data. The
"imposition" includes that a plurality of logical pages are
allocated to a single physical page, or that a logical page is
disposed in any direction of an upward-and-downward direction and a
leftward-and-rightward direction of a physical page. Hereinafter,
unless particularly mentioned, a "page" just mentioned is assumed
to indicate a physical page.
The acquisition unit 201 acquires setting information from the
printing job received by the reception unit 200.
The first designation unit 203 designates an exception to an
execution condition for a specific page on the basis of an
operation of an operator. The number of specific pages may be one
or plural. In a case where there are a plurality of specific pages,
an exception is designated in a range of continuous pages, but may
be designated in a range of discontinuous pages such as only odd
pages or even pages.
The "exception to an execution condition" indicates an execution
condition which is different from an execution condition set in a
printing job. In other words, the exception to an execution
condition indicates a change from the execution condition which is
uniformly set for a plurality of pages as attribute information of
the printing job. Hereinafter, the exception to an execution
condition will be simply referred to as an "exception" in some
cases.
The "designation of an exception to an execution condition"
indicates that an execution condition which is different from an
execution condition set in the printing job is set for a specific
page (that is, a differing execution condition is designated as an
exception). In other words, the designation of an exception to an
execution condition indicates that an execution condition for a
specific page is changed in an execution condition related to the
setting information acquired by the acquisition unit 201.
The "designation of an exception to an execution condition"
includes, for example, a change of the type of printing medium,
designation of a position at which lined paper is inserted, and
designation of a paper feeding tray or a discharge tray. Here, the
printing medium indicates printed matter on which image data which
is a printing target is recorded. The printing medium includes, for
example, a magazine, a newspaper, a poster, a leaflet, a calendar,
a bag, wrapping paper, and an official postcard. The lined paper is
a paper medium inserted for sorting printing media, and is paper on
which printing is not performed. Hereinafter, the "designation of
an exception to an execution condition" will be simply referred to
as "designation of an exception" in some cases.
The second designation unit 204 designates a range in which an
exception designated by the first designation unit 203 is patterned
to be applied to other pages, that is, a cycle (hereinafter,
referred to as a "repetition cycle" in some cases) in which
designation of the exception is repeated on the basis of an
operation of the operator. In other words, the second designation
unit 204 repeatedly designates the exception for a plurality of
pages other than specific pages for which the exception is
designated by the first designation unit 203 every number of pages
of the specific pages.
The second designation unit 204 repeatedly designates the exception
pattern for pages (for example, pages subsequent to the specific
page) other than a specific page for which an exception is
designated by the first designation unit 203 in a repetition cycle
designated through an operation of the operator.
With reference to FIG. 3, a specific example will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of designation of an
exception. As an example, a description will be made of a case
where an exception is designated for an (N+1)-th page, an (N+2)-th
page, . . . , and an (N+K)-th page by the first designation unit
203. The (N+1)-th page, the (N+2)-th page, . . . , and the (N+K)-th
page are examples of specific pages.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first designation unit 203 designates
exceptions for the (N+1)-th page, the (N+2)-th page, . . . , and
the (N+K)-th page on the basis of an operation of the operator. The
reference signs X.sub.1 to X.sub.K are symbols for identifying
exceptions to an execution condition, defined for convenience of
description, and an identical symbol indicates that an exception
with an identical content is designated.
Next, the second designation unit 204 designates a repetition cycle
on the basis of an operation of the operator. For example, in a
case where a repetition cycle is designated as K (pages), the
second designation unit 204 repeatedly designates a pattern
(X.sub.1 to X.sub.K) of the exceptions designated for the (N+1)-th
page to the (N+K)-th page by the first designation unit 203 in a
cycle of K pages from an (N+K+1)-th page corresponding to the next
page of the specific page. Here, N, K, and j are natural
numbers.
The second designation unit 204 may designate a repetition cycle by
designating the number of pages within a range of pages for which a
pattern of exceptions is designated, and may designate a repetition
cycle by designating a start point and an end point of a range of
pages. The start point and the end point of the range of pages may
be designated by designating a page (hereinafter, referred to as a
"start page" in some cases) at which a repeated pattern of
exceptions is started and a page (hereinafter, referred to as an
"end page" in some cases) at which the repeated pattern of
exceptions is ended. Information regarding an exception designated
by the first designation unit 203 and information regarding
repetition of the exception designated by the second designation
unit 204 will be collectively referred to as "repetition
information" in some cases.
The first designation unit 203 records information regarding a
designated exception in the repetition information table 212 of the
storage unit 21. The second designation unit 204 records
information regarding a designated repetition of the exception in
the repetition information table 212 of the storage unit 21. In
other words, the first designation unit 203 and the second
designation unit 204 record repetition information in the
repetition information table 212 of the storage unit 21. In the
present specification, writing information in a table is referred
to as recording the information, and writing information in the
storage unit 21 is referred to as storing the information.
The checking unit 205 checks whether or not designation of an
exception in the first designation unit 203 and designation of
repetition of an exception in the second designation unit 204 are
performed on a certain page in duplicate (hereinafter, referred to
as "duplicate designation of an exception" in some cases). The
checking unit 205 performs warning display even in a case where
either designation of an exception in the first designation unit
203 or designation of repetition of an exception in the second
designation unit 204 is first performed regardless of an order of
the designation.
The case where "designation of an exception in the first
designation unit 203 and designation of repetition of an exception
in the second designation unit 204 are duplicated" includes, for
example, a case where an exception has already been designated by
the first designation unit 203 for a page for which repetition of
the exception is to be designated before the second designation
unit 204 designates repetition of the exception, or a case where
the first designation unit 203 designates a new exception for a
page for which repetition of an exception is designated after the
second designation unit 204 designates the repetition of the
exception.
The deletion unit 206 deletes an exception designated by the first
designation unit 203 or exceptions repeatedly designated by the
second designation unit 204 on the basis of an operation of the
operator.
The execution unit 207 executes a function selected by the operator
on a screen displayed on the operation display portion 23a.
Particularly, the execution unit 207 executes printing output by
controlling the image output unit 25 on the basis of information
recorded in the repetition information table 212 of the storage
unit 21.
The display control unit 208 performs control such that various
screens corresponding to the screen information 214 are displayed
on the operation display portion 23a of the operation unit 23 by
referring to the screen information 214 stored in the storage unit
21. Specifically, the display control unit 208 performs control
such that a designation display screen 6 (refer to FIG. 5)
including a list of physical page information 65 corresponding to
each page is displayed on the operation display portion 23a of the
operation unit 23. The display control unit 208 performs control
such that the designation display screen 6 is displayed in a
predefined display aspect on the basis of designations in the first
designation unit 203 and the second designation unit 204. Details
of the predefined display aspect will be described later.
Configuration of Repetition Information Table 212
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the repetition
information table 212. Repetition information designated by the
first designation unit 203 and the second designation unit 204 is
recorded in the repetition information table 212. The repetition
information table 212 includes, for example, a "page" field, a
"setting information" field, and a "cycle" field.
Number information (hereinafter, also referred to as "page number
information") indicating what page corresponds to a target page is
recorded in the "page" field. An execution condition is recorded in
the "setting information" field in correlation with a page. The
execution condition recorded in the "setting information" field
includes an execution condition set in a printing job received by
the reception unit 200 and exceptions designated by the first
designation unit 203 and the second designation unit 204.
The "setting information" field is further provided with, for
example, a "color mode" field in which monochrome (for example, two
grayscales), a grayscale (for example, 64 or 256 grayscales), and a
color are recorded, a "paper type" field in which the type of
printing medium such as coated paper or plain paper is recorded, a
"printing surface" field in which both sides or one side is
recorded, and an "allocation" field in which an allocation method
is recorded. The "setting information" field is not limited to such
fields, and other fields may be provided as appropriate according
to items which are actually settable.
Information indicating a repetition cycle is recorded in the
"cycle" field. For example, in a case where an exception is
repeatedly designated in a repetition cycle of three pages, "1, 2,
3, 1, 2, 3, . . . " is recorded.
Screen Information 214
The screen information 214 is information indicating various
screens displayed on the operation display portion 23a. With
reference to FIGS. 5A to 7, the screen information 214 will be
described. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a
designation display screen. The designation display screen 6 is a
screen which allows the operator to designate an exception to an
execution condition and on which a set execution condition is
displayed. In the following description, in a case of the term
"display", this indicates that the display control unit 208 of the
control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 2 controls the
operation display portion 23a of the image forming apparatus 2 to
perform display unless otherwise mentioned.
As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the designation display screen 6
includes, for example, an exception designation region 60 for
designating an exception to an execution condition, an original
document sheet display region 62 displaying each logical page
forming an original document which is a printing target, and an
output sheet display region 64 visually displaying an execution
condition set for each physical page and a state (hereinafter, also
referred to as an "output state") of designation of an
exception.
In the exception designation region 60, the execution condition may
be selected and designated by using a radio button or a pull-down
menu. In the original document sheet display region 62, lists of
logical page information 63 corresponding to respective logical
pages are displayed to be arranged.
The logical page information 63 includes, for example, a logical
page icon 630 for identifying a logical page, logical page size
information 632 indicating a size of the logical page, and logical
page number information 634 indicating what page corresponds to a
logical page in printing data. Here, the icon indicates a function
configured to include letters, symbols, or graphics (also including
a function configured with only letters or symbols).
As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the logical page number information 634
may be indicated by a numerical value image 635 in which a number
is drawn. The logical page icon 630 may be indicated by a reduced
image (hereinafter, also referred to as a "thumbnail") in which a
content of the logical page is reduced and is generated as an
image. A first scroll bar 620 which vertically moves and displays
the lists of the logical page information 63 may be provided.
FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an extraction of the physical
page information illustrated in FIG. 5A. As illustrated in FIG. 5A,
lists of a plurality of pieces of physical page information 65
corresponding to respective physical pages are displayed side by
side in the output sheet display region 64. The physical page
information 65 is an example of a small image.
The physical page information 65 includes a physical page icon 650
indicating an output state of the physical page, number information
652 (hereinafter, also referred to as "physical page number
information 652") indicating what page corresponds to the physical
page in a printing medium, physical page size information 654
indicating a size of a printing medium, and an exception
designation icon 656 indicating whether or not an exception is
designated for the physical page. The exception designation icon
656 is an example of image information indicating that an exception
is designated.
The physical page information 65 may be displayed in a display
aspect in which a range of pages for which exceptions are
designated by the first designation unit 203, that is, a range of
pages for which exceptions are directly designated through an
operation of the operator is identifiable. Specifically, the
physical page information 65 related to a page within a range of
pages for which exceptions are designated by the first designation
unit 203 may be displayed in a display aspect which is different
from that of the physical page information 65 related to a page for
which an exception is not designated by the first designation unit
203. A case where "an exception is not designated by the first
designation unit 203" includes a case where an exception is
repeatedly designated by the second designation unit 204.
More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, a color of a
background 64A of the physical page information 65 related to a
page within a range of pages (refer to a dashed line frame "R" in
FIG. 5A) for which exceptions are designated by the first
designation unit 203 may be displayed in a color which is different
from that of a background 64B of other physical page information in
which repetition is not designated.
In a case where an exception is repeatedly designated by the second
designation unit 204, an identification image 67 indicating a
boundary between ranges of pages for which exceptions are
repeatedly designated may be displayed. Specifically, as
illustrated in FIG. 5A, the identification image 67 may be
displayed between the physical page information 65 corresponding to
an endmost page within one range of pages in a repetition cycle and
the physical page information 65 corresponding to an endmost page
within another range adjacent to the one range.
In other words, pages related to the physical page information 65
interposed between the adjacent identification images 67 represent
that one pattern of an exception is repeatedly designated. The
identification image 67 may be an image configured with a
horizontally long bar-shaped graphic.
The physical page icon 650 is displayed in a display aspect of
visually indicating an output state of each physical page forming a
printing medium. As an example, in a case where allocation of
allocating two logical pages to a single physical page is set, a
single physical page icon 650 is configured to include two partial
regions 650A and 6503 respectively corresponding to the two logical
pages.
More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in a case
where a total of two logical pages are respectively allocated to
the left and the right in a single physical page, the partial
regions 650A and 650B indicating the logical pages allocated to the
left and the right in the physical page icon 650 are displayed.
For example, the physical page icons 650 may be displayed to be
differentiated from each other by a set color mode. Specifically,
although not illustrated, in a case where a color mode is set to a
color, the physical page icon 650 may be displayed in color, in a
case where a color mode is set to a grayscale, the physical page
icon 650 may be displayed in grayscale, and, in a case where a
color mode is set to monochrome, the physical page icon 650 may be
displayed in monochrome.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the logical page number
information 634 (refer to "35" or "36" in FIG. 5B) may be assigned
on the physical page icon 650. A second scroll bar 640 which
vertically moves and displays the lists of the physical page
information 65 may be provided.
The physical page number information 652 is a number assigned to
identify a physical page, and corresponds to, for example, a serial
number. In a case where both sides are set as a printing surface,
the physical page number information 652 may be displayed such that
text information (for example, text information such as "front" or
"rear") indicating a front surface or a rear surface of a printing
medium is further assigned thereto.
As described above, in the present specification, a front surface
and a rear surface are handled as different target objects, but,
for convenience of description, an identical number is assigned to
the rear surface and the front surface with respect to a page
number (refer to FIG. 12F). In other words, the physical page
number information 652 is information indicating what page
corresponds to the physical page in a printing medium. Different
numbers may be assigned to a front surface and a rear surface. When
allocation is performed, for convenience of description, respective
allocated regions are handled as different target objects, and
different numbers are assigned thereto (refer to FIG. 12D).
In a case where an exception is designated for a target page, the
exception designation icon 656 may be controlled to be assigned to
the physical page information 65 so as to be displayed, and, in a
case where an exception is not designated for a target page, the
exception designation icon 656 may be controlled not to be
displayed in the physical page information 65.
The exception designation icon 656 related to a page within a range
of pages for which exceptions are designated by the first
designation unit 203 (that is, directly designated through an
operation of the operator) may be displayed to be differentiated
from the exception designation icon 656 related to a page out of
the range of pages.
Specifically, an exception designation icon 656A related to a page
for which an exception is designated by the first designation unit
203 and an exception designation icon 656B related to a page for
which repetition of an exception is designated by the second
designation unit 204 may be displayed in different display
aspects.
More specifically, the exception designation icon 656A related to a
page within the range of pages for which exceptions are designated
by the first designation unit 203 may be displayed in a color which
is different from a color of the exception designation icon 656B
related to a page out of the range. The exception designation icon
656A related to a page within a range of pages for which exceptions
are designated by the first designation unit 203 is an example of
first image information. The exception designation icon 656B
related to a page out of the range is an example of second image
information.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating examples of repetition
designation screens. A repetition designation screen 7 is a screen
which allows the operator to designate repetition of an exception.
As illustrated in FIG. 6A, a repetition designation screen 7A
includes a checkbox 71 for selecting whether or not repetition of
an exception is designated, and a range designation field 72 for
designating a repetition cycle. The range designation field 72 is a
field for inputting a page number (for example, a page number from
a top page) within a range of pages for which exceptions are
repeatedly designated.
As another example, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, a repetition
designation screen 7B may be provided to include a start page
designation button 73 for designating a start page and an end page
designation button 74 for designating an end page. A start point
and an end point of a range of pages for which exceptions are
repeatedly designated may be designated on the repetition
designation screen 7B.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of display when the
physical page information 65 illustrated in FIG. 5A is scrolled. In
a case where the lists of the physical page information 65 are
moved in a downward direction in the drawing by operating the
second scroll bar 640, a display position on a screen of the
physical page information 65 related to a page within a range
(refer to "R" in FIG. 7) in which an exception is designated by the
first designation unit 203 may be controlled not to be changed.
In other words, the display control unit 208 may perform control
such that, in a case where a plurality of pieces of physical page
information 65 are vertically moved by operating the second scroll
bar 640, a display position on a screen on which the physical page
information 65 corresponding to a page for which an exception is
designated by the first designation unit 203 is displayed is fixed,
and only the physical page information 65 corresponding to other
pages is vertically moved and displayed. The example illustrated in
FIG. 7 illustrates a case of vertical scroll, but, in the same
manner for a case of horizontal scroll, control may be performed
such that a display position on a screen on which the physical page
information 65 corresponding to a page for which an exception is
designated by the first designation unit 203 is displayed is fixed,
and only the physical page information 65 corresponding to other
pages is horizontally moved and displayed.
FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating examples of warning
screens. A warning screen 8 is a screen including a warning message
80 issuing a warning to the operator in a case where designation of
an exception in the first designation unit 203 and designation of
repetition of an exception in the second designation unit 204 are
performed on a certain page in duplicate.
For example, in a case where an exception has already been
designated by the first designation unit 203 for a page for which
repetition of the exception is to be designated by the second
designation unit 204 before the second designation unit 204
designates repetition of the exception, as illustrated in FIG. 8A,
a first warning screen 8A including a first warning message 80A
indicating that an exception has already been designated by the
first designation unit 203 is displayed.
The "case where an exception is designated by the first designation
unit 203" may include, for example, a case where an exception is
designated for only an odd page, a case where an exception is
designated for only an even page, or a case where exceptions are
designated for pages within a specific range by using a symbol such
as "3- (hyphen)".
In a case where designation of an exception in the first
designation unit 203 and designation of repetition of an exception
in the second designation unit 204 are performed on a certain page
in duplicate, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, in order to make the
designation of repetition of an exception in the second designation
unit 204 valid, a second warning screen 8B including a second
warning message 80B for selecting whether or not an exception
designated by the first designation unit 203 in advance is deleted
may be displayed.
In a case where the first designation unit 203 designates a new
exception for a page for which repetition of an exception is
designated by the second designation unit 204 after the second
designation unit 204 designates the repetition of the exception, as
illustrated in FIG. 8C, a third warning screen 8C including a third
warning message 80C indicating that the first designation unit 203
is unable to designate an exception is displayed. In this case, as
illustrated in FIG. 8D, a fourth warning screen 8D including a
fourth warning message 80D including attribute information of a
page for which an exception is unable to be designated by the first
designation unit 203 may be displayed.
Configuration of Terminal Apparatus 3
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control
system of the terminal apparatus 3. The terminal apparatus 3
includes a control unit 30 which controls each unit, a storage unit
31 which stores various pieces of data, a display unit 32 which is
configured with a liquid crystal display, an operation unit 33
which is realized by a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and a
network communication unit 37 which performs communication with the
image forming apparatus 2 via the network 4.
The control unit 30 is configured with a central processing unit
(CPU), an interface, and the like. The CPU is operated according to
a printer driver 311 stored in the storage unit 31 so as to
function as a reception unit 300, a generation unit 301, and a
transmission unit 302. Details of the respective units 300 to 302
will be described later.
The storage unit 31 is configured to a read only memory (ROM), a
random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk, and stores various
pieces of data such as an application 310, the printer driver 311,
and document data 312.
The application 310 is, for example, a document creation program, a
graphic creation program, or a spreadsheet program. The application
310 creates a document according to an operation of the operator,
and forwards document data to the printer driver 311 in a case
where the created document is instructed to be printed.
A document created in advance may be stored in the storage unit 31,
and may be read from the storage unit 31 so as to be instructed to
be printed during printing. A document may be read from the storage
unit 31 during editing, and may be instructed to be printed after
the editing.
The printer driver 311 converts the document data into printing
data described in a page description language (PDL) such as
Portable Document Format (PDF) or PostScript (registered trademark)
which is able to be analyzed by the image forming apparatus 2,
generates a printing job including the printing data and a printing
condition, and transmits the printing job to the image forming
apparatus 2.
The reception unit 300 receives an operation of the operator which
is input from the operation unit 33. The generation unit 301
converts document data into printing data, and generates a printing
job including the printing data obtained through conversion and an
execution condition. The transmission unit 302 causes the network
communication unit 37 to transmit information indicating the
operation of the operator received by the reception unit 300 or the
printing job generated by the generation unit 301 to the image
forming apparatus 2 via the network 4.
Operation in First Exemplary Embodiment
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a description will be made of an
example of an operation of the image forming apparatus 2. FIG. 10
is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image
forming apparatus 2. The reception unit 200 receives a printing job
transmitted from the terminal apparatus 3 (S1). Next, the
acquisition unit 201 acquires setting information from the printing
job received by the reception unit 200 (S2).
The display control unit 208 performs control such that the
designation display screen 6 (refer to FIG. 5A) is displayed on the
operation display portion 23a (S3). The first designation unit 203
designates an exception to the execution condition for a specific
page on the basis of an operation of the operator on the
designation display screen 6 displayed on the operation display
portion 23a (S4).
The display control unit 208 performs control such that the
repetition designation screen 7 (refer to FIGS. 6A and 6B) is
displayed on the operation display portion 23a in response to an
operation of the operator (S5). The second designation unit 204
designates a repetition cycle on the basis of an operation of the
operator on the repetition designation screen 7 displayed on the
operation display portion 23a (S6).
The second designation unit 204 repeatedly designates a pattern of
the exception for pages subsequent to the specific page for which
the exception is designated by the first designation unit 203 in
the designated repetition cycle (S7).
The checking unit 205 checks whether or not designation of an
exception in the first designation unit 203 and designation of
repetition of an exception in the second designation unit 204 are
performed on a certain page subsequent to the specific page in
duplicate, that is, there is duplicate designation of an exception
(S8). As an example, the checking unit 205 checks whether or not an
exception is designated in advance by the first designation unit
203 for a page for which an exception is to be repeatedly
designated by the second designation unit 204.
In a case where an exception is not designated in advance by the
first designation unit 203 for a page for which an exception is to
be repeatedly designated by the second designation unit 204 (S8:
No), the first designation unit 203 and the second designation unit
204 records repetition information designated by each thereof in
the repetition information table 212 of the storage unit 21
(S9).
The display control unit 208 performs control such that the
designation display screen 6 is displayed in a predefined display
aspect on the basis of the repetition information designated by the
first designation unit 203 and the second designation unit 204
(S10).
Specifically, the display control unit 208 performs control such
that the physical page information 65 related to the page for which
the exception is designated by the first designation unit 203 or
the second designation unit 204 is assigned with the exception
designation icon 656 so as to be displayed. The display control
unit 208 performs control such that a color of the exception
designation icon 656A assigned to the physical page information 65
related to the page for which the exception is designated by the
first designation unit 203 is displayed in a color which is
different from a color of the exception designation icon 656B
assigned to the physical page information 65 related to a page for
which the exception is not designated by the first designation unit
203.
The display control unit 208 performs control such that a color of
the background 64A of the physical page information 65 related to a
page within a range (refer to the dashed line frame "R" in FIG. 5A)
of pages for which exceptions are designated by the first
designation unit 203 is displayed in a color which is different
from a color of the background 64B of the physical page information
65 related to a page out of the range. Control is performed such
that the identification image 67 is inserted between the physical
page information 65 and the physical page information 65 so as to
be displayed in the repetition cycle designated by the second
designation unit 204.
The execution unit 207 executes printing by referring to the
printing job and the information recorded in the repetition
information table 212 of the storage unit 21 on the basis of an
operation of the operator giving an instruction for execution of
printing (S11).
In a case where an exception is designated in advance by the first
designation unit 203 for a page for which an exception is to be
repeatedly designated by the second designation unit 204 (S8: Yes),
the display control unit 208 performs control such that the warning
screen 8 (refer to each of FIGS. 8A to 8D) is displayed on the
operation display portion 23a (S12).
In a case where the operator performs an operation of deleting the
exception designated in advance by the first designation unit 203
on the second warning screen 8B (refer to FIG. 8B) displayed on the
operation display portion 23a (S13: Yes), the deletion unit 206
deletes the designation of the exception (S14).
In this case, since a situation in which designation of the
exception is duplicated is removed, the same operation as in the
above steps S9 to S11 is performed. In other words, the first
designation unit 203 and the second designation unit 204 records
repetition information designated by each thereof in the repetition
information table 212 (S9), the display control unit 208 performs
control such that the designation display screen 6 including the
designated repetition information is displayed on the operation
display portion 23a (S10), and the execution unit 207 executes
printing by referring to the repetition information table 212 on
the basis of an instruction from the operator (S11).
Modification Example 1
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the designation
display screen 6 according to a modification example. A repetition
cycle of an exception may be designated by using a table 68 as
illustrated in FIG. 11. The table 68 includes, for example, a
"page" field, a "category" field, and a "setting" field. The second
designation unit 204 may designate a repetition cycle on the basis
of an operation of the operator on a repetition designation screen
7C displayed on the operation display portion 23a by the display
control unit 208.
Modification Example 2
In the above-described exemplary embodiment, a description has been
made of an example of a case where designation of an exception and
designation of repetition of an exception are performed on the
basis of an operation on the operation display portion 23a of the
image forming apparatus 2, but the designation may be performed on
the basis of an operation on the operation unit 33 of the terminal
apparatus 3.
Specifically, a transmission unit which transmits the screen
information 214 to the terminal apparatus 3 via the network 4 may
be provided in the control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus
2, and a display control unit may be provided in the control unit
30 of the terminal apparatus 3. In this case, the display control
unit of the terminal apparatus 3 may perform control such that the
designation display screen 6 or the repetition designation screen 7
is displayed on the display unit 32 of the terminal apparatus 3 on
the basis of the screen information 214 transmitted from the image
forming apparatus 2, and the operator may operate the designation
display screen 6 or the repetition designation screen 7 displayed
on the display unit 32 of the terminal apparatus 3 such that the
transmission unit 302 of the terminal apparatus 3 transmits
repetition information as information related to the operation to
the image forming apparatus 2, and thus the repetition information
is able to be designated from the terminal apparatus 3. The screen
information 214 may be stored in the storage unit 31 of the
terminal apparatus 3.
EXAMPLES
Next, with reference to FIGS. 12A to 12F, a description will be
made of an example of printing performed in the above-described
exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 12A to 12F are diagrams illustrating an
example of variable printing realized in the first exemplary
embodiment of the invention. The variable printing indicates that a
printing form is in common, and printing with different contents is
repeatedly performed in a predefined cycle. The variable printing
is a single mass repetition printing job such as customer specific
bills of a credit card in which a printing form (form information)
is in common, but contents (printing data) printed for respective
customers are different from each other.
Printing data related to the variable printing is an example of a
series of printing data. A range of pages related to repetition
will be referred to as a "set" or a "record" in some cases.
Numbers added to each of FIGS. 12A to 12F indicate the physical
page number information 652. In the following description, it is
assumed that designation in the first designation unit 203 and the
second designation unit 204 is performed on the basis of an
operation on the designation display screen 6 or the repetition
designation screen 7 displayed on the operation display portion 23a
of the image forming apparatus 2 by the display control unit 208
unless otherwise mentioned.
(1) In a Case where a Printing Medium of a Specific Type is used
for a Specific Page
As illustrated in FIG. 12A, for example, in a case where printing
is repeated in a cycle of three pages such that, in a single
record, a first page is set to coated paper, a second page is set
to plain paper, and a third page is set to thick paper, the first
designation unit 203 designates an exception that the type of
printing medium of the first page is set to coated paper, the type
of printing medium of the second page is set to plain paper, and
the type of printing medium of the third page is set to thick
paper, and the second designation unit 204 designates a repetition
cycle to 3.
In the above-described way, the execution unit 207 can repeatedly
execute printing in a cycle of three pages on the basis of the
repetition information table 212 such that, in a single record, the
first page is set to coated paper, the second page is set to plain
paper, and the third page is set to thick paper. In this example,
designation of an exception is performed on the basis of the type
of printing medium, but there is a case where the type of printing
medium stored in each paper feeding tray which stored printing
media and feeds a printing medium into the image forming apparatus
may be specified in the image forming apparatus 2. In this case,
instead of the type of printing medium, designation of an exception
may be performed on the basis of the paper feeding tray.
(2) In a Case where a Color Mode of a Specific Page is Changed
As illustrated in FIG. 12B, for example, in a case where all pages
of an original document (printing data) are printed in color, and a
first page, a fourth page, a seventh pages, . . . corresponding to
covers are printed in color at intervals of three pages, and other
pages corresponding to the body are printed in monochrome, the
first designation unit 203 designates an exception that a color
mode of the first page is set to monochrome, and a color mode of
the second page and the third page is set to color, and the second
designation unit 204 designates a repetition cycle to 3.
In the above-described way, the execution unit 207 can repeatedly
execute printing in a cycle of three pages such that, in a single
record, the first page is set to be printed in monochrome, and the
second page and the third page are set to be printed in color.
(3) In a Case where a Specific Paper Medium is Inserted at a
Predefined Interval
As illustrated in FIG. 12C, in a case where lined paper is inserted
at intervals of three pages, and repetition printing is performed,
the first designation unit 203 designates an exception that a
fourth page is set to lined paper, and the second designation unit
204 designates a repetition cycle to 4.
In the above-described way, the execution unit 207 can repeatedly
execute printing in a cycle of four pages on the basis of the
repetition information table 212 such that, in a single record, the
fourth page is set to lined paper. Since printing media are
sortable by the lined paper, the sorted printing media other than
the lined paper may be subjected to postprocessing in the
repetition unit. The postprocessing includes, for example, a
process of cutting printing media, a process of folding printing
media, a process of forming holes in printing media, and a process
of binding printing media.
(4) In a Case of Separate Volumes
A separate volume indicates a created booklet. In the example of a
separate volume, for convenience of description, it is assumed that
a half of one side of a printing medium is handled as a single
physical page.
As illustrated in FIG. 12D, for example, in a case where separate
volumes are created by using two printing media, and one of the
separate volumes is repeatedly printed by using a printing medium
of a specific type, the first designation unit 203 designates an
exception that the type of printing medium is set to coated paper,
two logical pages are allocated, a printing surface is set to both
sides, and imposition is set to a desired setting value, for a
first printing medium (refer to a thick line in FIG. 12D), and
designates an exception that the type of printing medium is set to
plain paper, two logical pages are allocated, a printing surface is
set to both sides, and imposition is set to a desired setting
value, for a second printing medium (refer to a thin line in FIG.
12D), and the second designation unit 204 designates a repetition
cycle to 8.
In the above-described way, the execution unit 207 can repeat
printing for forming a booklet configured with a total of eight
pages with a first printing medium as coated paper and a second
printing medium as plain paper on the basis of the repetition
information table 212.
(5) In a Case where only a Predefined Top Page is Excluded from a
Variable Printing Target
As illustrated in FIG. 12E, for example, in a case where other
pages are repeatedly printed except for a top first page on which
control information for giving an instruction for a processing
content to a postprocessing apparatus is recorded, the second
designation unit 204 designates a repetition cycle to 3 by setting
a second page as a start page of repetition of an exception and
setting a fourth page as an end page of the repetition of the
exception.
In the above-described way, the execution unit 207 can repeatedly
execute printing in which a single record includes the second page,
the third page, and the fourth page except for the first page, in a
cycle of three pages on the basis of the repetition information
table 212.
(6) In a Case where both Sides are Printed for a Specific Page, and
One Side is Printed for other Pages
As illustrated in FIG. 12F, for example, in a case where it is
repeated that both sides are printed for a first page and a second
page, and one side is printed for a third page, the first
designation unit 203 designates an exception that a printing
surface of the first page and the second page is set to both sides,
and a printing surface of the third page is set to one side, and
the second designation unit 204 designates a repetition cycle to
3.
In the above-described way, the execution unit 207 can repeatedly
execute printing in which, in a single record, the first and the
second page are set to both sides, and the third page is set to one
side, in a cycle of three pages on the basis of the repetition
information table 212.
Second Exemplary Embodiment
Next, a description will be made of a second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
an image forming system 1 according to a second exemplary
embodiment of the invention. The second exemplary embodiment is
different from the first exemplary embodiment in that a server
apparatus 5 is provided as an information processing apparatus.
Hereinafter, an identical reference numeral is given to the
substantially same constituent element as in the first exemplary
embodiment, repeated description will be omitted, and a difference
from the first exemplary embodiment will be focused.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the image forming system 1 includes the
server apparatus 5 in addition to the configuration described in
the first exemplary embodiment. The server apparatus 5 is connected
to the image forming apparatus 2 and the terminal apparatus 3 via
the network 4.
Configuration of Server Apparatus 5
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control
system of the server apparatus 5. The server apparatus 5 includes a
control unit 50 which controls each unit, a storage unit 51 which
stores various pieces of data, and a network communication unit 57
which performs communication with the image forming apparatus 2 and
the terminal apparatus 3 via the network 4.
The control unit 50 is configured with a central processing unit
(CPU), an interface, and the like. The CPU is operated according to
a program 510 recorded in the storage unit 51, and thus functions
as a reception unit 200, an acquisition unit 201, a first
designation unit 203, a second designation unit 204, a checking
unit 205, a deletion unit 206, and a transmission unit 500. Among
the units, functions of the reception unit 200, the acquisition
unit 201, the first designation unit 203, the second designation
unit 204, the checking unit 205, and the deletion unit 206 are the
same as the functions of the respective units 200 to 206 described
in the first exemplary embodiment, and thus detailed description
thereof will be omitted. The transmission unit 500 transmits
various pieces of information to the image forming apparatus 2 and
the terminal apparatus 3 via the network 4.
The storage unit 21 is configured with a read only memory (ROM), a
random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk, and stores various
pieces of data such as a program 510, a repetition information
table 212, and screen information 214. The repetition information
table 212 and the screen information 214 are the same as those
described in the first exemplary embodiment, and thus detailed
description will be omitted.
Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 2 and Terminal Apparatus
3
The control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 2 may not be
provided with the acquisition unit 201, the first designation unit
203, the second designation unit 204, the checking unit 205, the
deletion unit 206, and the display control unit 208 among the units
200 to 208 described in the first exemplary embodiment. The storage
unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 2 may not store the
repetition information table 212 and the screen information 214.
The control unit 30 of the terminal apparatus 3 further includes a
display control unit (not illustrated) performing control such that
information is displayed on the display unit 32 in addition to the
units described in the first exemplary embodiment.
Operation in Second Exemplary Embodiment
Next, with reference to FIG. 15, a description will be made of an
example of an operation of the image forming system 1 according to
the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram
illustrating an example of an operation of the image forming system
according to the second exemplary embodiment. The generation unit
301 of the terminal apparatus 3 generates a printing job on the
basis of an operation of an operator (S20). The transmission unit
302 of the terminal apparatus 3 transmits the generated printing
job to the server apparatus 5 (S21).
The reception unit 200 of the server apparatus 5 receives the
printing job transmitted from the terminal apparatus 3 (S22). Next,
the acquisition unit 201 of the server apparatus 5 acquires setting
information from the printing job received by the reception unit
200 (S23).
The transmission unit 500 of the server apparatus 5 transmits the
screen information 214 to the terminal apparatus 3 (S24). The
reception unit 300 of the terminal apparatus 3 receives the screen
information 214 transmitted from the server apparatus 5. The
display control unit of the terminal apparatus 3 performs control
such that the designation display screen 6 (refer to FIG. 5A) is
displayed on the display unit 32 (S25). The reception unit 300 of
the terminal apparatus 3 receives an operation of the operator
performed on the designation display screen 6 displayed on the
display unit 32 from the operation unit 33.
The display control unit of the terminal apparatus 3 performs
control such that the repetition designation screen 7 (refer to
FIGS. 6A and 6B) is displayed on the display unit 32 (S26). The
reception unit 300 of the terminal apparatus 3 receives an
operation of the operator performed on the repetition designation
screen 7 displayed on the display unit 32 from the operation unit
33.
The transmission unit 302 of the terminal apparatus 3 transmits
repetition information (that is, information regarding an exception
and information regarding repetition of the exception) based on the
operation to the server apparatus 5 (S27). The reception unit 200
of the server apparatus 5 receives the repetition information
transmitted from the terminal apparatus 3.
The first designation unit 203 of the server apparatus 5 designates
an exception to an execution condition for a specific page on the
basis of the received repetition information (S28). The second
designation unit 204 of the server apparatus 5 designates a
repetition cycle on the basis of the received repetition
information. The second designation unit 204 repeatedly designates
a pattern of the exception for a page subsequent to the specific
page for which the exception is designated by the first designation
unit 203, in the designated repetition cycle (S29).
The checking unit 205 of the server apparatus 5 checks whether or
not there is duplicate designation of the exception (S30). In a
case where there is no duplicate designation, the first designation
unit 203 and the second designation unit 204 records the repetition
information in the repetition information table 212 (S31).
The transmission unit 500 of the server apparatus 5 transmits the
screen information 214 related to the designation display screen 6
including the repetition information to the terminal apparatus 3
(S32). The reception unit 300 of the terminal apparatus 3 receives
the screen information 214 transmitted from the server apparatus 5,
and the display control unit 208 of the terminal apparatus 3
performs control such that the designation display screen 6
including the repetition information is displayed on the display
unit 32 in a predefined display aspect (S33).
The server apparatus 5 instructs the image forming apparatus 2 to
execute printing on the basis of the printing job and the
repetition information (S34). The execution unit 207 of the image
forming apparatus 2 executes printing on the basis of the
instruction from the server apparatus 5 (S35).
Also in the second exemplary embodiment, the Examples illustrated
in FIGS. 12A to 12F described in the first exemplary embodiment can
be executed. In the second exemplary embodiment, an instruction for
repetition of an exception is given by the terminal apparatus 3
(S24 to S27), but may be configured to be executed by the server
apparatus 5. In this case, a situation of setting repetition of an
exception is not required to be displayed on a screen of the
terminal apparatus 3 (S32 to S33), and may be displayed on a screen
of the server apparatus 5. The server apparatus 5 may have a
so-called controller function of controlling the image forming
apparatus 2. As described in the first exemplary embodiment, an
instruction for repetition may be given from the operation display
portion 23a of the image forming apparatus 2.
As mentioned above, the exemplary embodiments of the invention have
been described, but exemplary embodiments of the invention are not
limited to the above exemplary embodiments, and may be variously
modified within the scope without changing the concept of the
invention.
A part or the whole of each unit of the control units 20, 30, and
50 may be configured with a hardware circuit such as a field
programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC).
Some of the constituent elements of the exemplary embodiments may
be omitted or changed within the scope without changing the concept
of the invention. A step may be added, deleted, changed, and
replaced in the flows of the exemplary embodiments without changing
the concept of the invention. The program used in the exemplary
embodiments may be recorded on a computer readable recording medium
such as a CD-ROM so as to be provided, and may be stored in an
external server such as a cloud server so as to be used via a
network.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the
present invention has been provided for the purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.
Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to
practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the invention
and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in
the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and
with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be
defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *